Yea I put them in from the bottom. I took the sharp point off the bolts and everything seems good, but mine also stays in a garage.
In keeping it simple I bet you could leave the bottom bolts in and loosened up for a hinge point and make use of a small limiting strap. Kinda like the glove box doors are. While it's out weld some small tabs for a small locking pin. Then all you have to is pull a small pin or two and voila, the dash folds down!
